Shloka 3.43.29

मायामृगदर्शनम् (The Vision of the Illusory Deer)

Devanagari script

कस्य रूपमिदं दृष्ट्वा जाम्बूनद मयप्रभम्।नानारत्नमयं दिव्यं न मनो विस्मयं व्रजेत्।।।।

Transliteration

masāragallarkamukhaḥ śaṅkhamuktānibhodaraḥ |

kasya nāmābhirūpyo 'sau na mano lobhayen mṛgaḥ || 3.43.28 ||

Translation

Its face is like an emerald vessel, its belly like a conch or a pearl. Whose mind would not be enticed by such a captivating deer?

Context

Whose mind will not be filled with wonder on seeing this divine beauty glittering like lustrous gold and studded with a variety of gems ?

Characters & Entities

• Rāma
• Lakṣmaṇa
• deer (mṛga)
• emerald (masāra)
• conch (śaṅkha)
• pearl (muktā)

FAQs

What is the core ethical principle (Dharma) in this verse?

It teaches that desire is natural, but Dharma lies in not letting greed or fascination govern action; truth (satya) must guide choices over mere attraction.

What is the narrative situation?

Rāma acknowledges how the deer’s jewel-like features can lure anyone, explaining Sītā’s captivation and foreshadowing the danger of pursuing it.

Which character virtue is emphasized?

Honest recognition of human vulnerability—admitting how the mind can be drawn to beauty is a step toward ethical restraint.